Whassup?! Coach catches phrase to sell AFA tickets

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 5, 2000 | by Meri-Jo Borzilleri

Of all the questions surrounding Air Force Academy's football program going into the 2000 season, coach Fisher DeBerry never expected to be asking this one:

"Whaaassuuup?!"

DeBerry, along with Dan Issel, Goose Gossage and Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, stars in a local TV commercial for Air Force season tickets that has people talking. With tongues flapping.

It's an unabashed rip-off of the Budweiser ad that created a pop phrase that just won't die. While "Whassup?!" is past its prime, DeBerry and the others are giving it a second life locally.

Here's how it goes: DeBerry is at his desk at the academy when the phone rings. It's Issel, Denver Nuggets coach and general manager.

"What's up, Fish?" Issel asks.

"Nuttin'," says DeBerry. "Just watching some tape. Whassup with you?"

"Nuttin'. Just got my Air Force season tickets."

Gossage, Colorado Springs resident and World Series champion pitcher, enters DeBerry's office.

"Whassup?!" shouts Gossage.

"Whassup?!" DeBerry gleefully answers.

He tells Gossage to pick up the phone. He and Issel exchange spirited "Whassups." They call Owens. All four wind up yelling the phrase at one another. There's more, but you get the picture - and there's nuttin' like it anywhere.

It's silly. It's unexpected. It's nothing like DeBerry. That's why it works.

"How can you not laugh when you see that?" said senior fullback Scott Becker.

The commercial, the brainchild of assistant athletic director Steve Becvar, ends with the season-ticket phone number (472-1895). It took a couple of hours to shoot in DeBerry's office. All four celebrities donated their time for the ad, shot with Budweiser's blessing. Brian Jerman, the team's video coordinator, taped Issel and Owens at their offices.

"Governor Owens is a huge Air Force fan," Jerman said.

The commercial, not two weeks old, is winning fans, too. Three youngsters, after asking DeBerry for autographs at Friday's media day, chorused a "Whassup!" to him. DeBerry laughed and Whassup-ed them back.

"I'll do anything to sell a ticket," he said. "Our players deserve that."

Season ticket sales are close to 16,000, slightly ahead of last year so far. The Falcons open the season against Cal State Northridge on Sept. 2 in Falcon Stadium.

The commercial is a departure even for the colorful DeBerry, 62, known for his Southern drawl and homespun turns of phrase rather than pop culture references.

DeBerry's first thought after seeing the finished product: "I can't believe I did that."

- Meri-Jo Borzilleri may be reached at 636-0259 or merijo@gazette.com Edited by Kamon Simpson